Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville in complete agreement over Premier League title race

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Aston Villa should not be considered contenders for the Premier League title this season, despite their red-hot form. That is the opinion of both Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville , who have dismissed the chances of Unai Emery ’s side.

Villa are third in the Premier League , three points behind leaders Arsenal and one adrift of second-placed Manchester City . After a sluggish start to the season they have won 10 successive league games to shoot up the table.

Their 2-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday made it 10 in a row at Villa Park, where they have lost just once in 2025. In-form Morgan Rogers scored both goals for Emery’s side, who will face a serious test of their credentials when they travel to Chelsea and Arsenal in their next two fixtures.

Villa have played down the idea of them challenging Arsenal and City for the title and Neville gave a clear verdict after watching them beat his former club on Sunday. “I’m drawing a line beneath the top two,” Neville said on Sky Sports . “ Aston Villa are there and should be respected but they’re not going to win the league.

“I would be amazed if that happened. A lot would have to go wrong for Arsenal and Man City for Aston Villa to win the league. The league is bizarre, I mean not the top two, but beneath it. You’re not quite sure what to make of the other teams.”

Rooney echoed the thoughts of his former team-mate on Sunday evening. After ex-Villa striker Dion Dublin said on Match of the Day that Villa were in the race, Rooney was asked his take. He replied instantly: “No. I don’t think they are – and that’s not me being disrespectful to Aston Villa.

“They’re just not as good as Arsenal and Man City. They’re doing excellent, they’re doing great, but to win the title, it takes a lot and I just don’t feel they’re going to be in the title race.”

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Asked about Villa’s outstanding home record and Emery’s experience, Rooney added: “Yeah, but I just think it takes something special to win the Premier League title and I just don’t think Aston Villa are at the level of Arsenal or Man City.”

Villa have kept one clean sheet in their last eight games across all competitions and that came against bottom side Wolves . And they also sit 15th in a Premier League table based on Expected Goals (xG), suggesting they are punching above their weight currently.

Emery’s side have fallen behind in each of their last five away games in the Premier League, and although they have come back to win three of those, their performances aren’t indicative of a title-winning team.

“We are not contenders,” Emery said after the United game. “We are here because we are competing fantastic. The players are really focusing each match with what we are trying to set and being consistent. But we are not contenders to be there.”

Rogers was clear on Villa’s approach to the title, telling Sky Sports: “You make those conversations, not us. We're firmly focused on the task at hand and handling it each game.”

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.